San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had his worst game as a starter, tossing a career-high four interceptions on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. The turnovers proved costly, contributing to the team’s 33-19 defeat at Levi’s Stadium.
On Tuesday morning, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided insights into each of Purdy’s interceptions, addressing the plays individually. The first occurred early in the game, with Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton intercepting a pass intended for wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the end zone.
“I get what he saw,” Shanahan said of Purdy’s first pick. “There was some space that flashed, and he just reacted and let it rip. He was probably feeling pretty good after the first few plays and thought he could squeeze it in there, but he can’t versus that coverage. So that was the wrong decision.”
The coach labeled the rest of the interceptions as “real unfortunate plays,” with the second taking place early in the second quarter. Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens came away with the football after cornerback Brandon Stephens tipped it into the air.
Shanahan explained, “We were in a run play that they got us on a corner blitz, and he had a way to get out of it, but he had to throw it over that guy. And the guy made a hell of a play jumping and tipping it, and the other corner on the backside ended up getting the tip and picking it.”
Hamilton secured his second interception of the night midway through the second quarter. Purdy scrambled to his right, attempting to buy time, and threw the ball toward tight end George Kittle. However, it bounced off Kittle and into Hamilton’s hands.
“The next one was a scramble on 3rd-and-7 where he really threw a 50/50 ball to George, and [Hamilton] did a hell of a job getting his hand in there and tipping it up in the air. He got another tip,” Shanahan said.
Purdy’s fourth interception occurred in the third quarter, with Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen intercepting a pass intended for running back Christian McCaffrey.
“The one in the third quarter, he made the right read,” Shanahan shared. “The MIKE linebacker got under a route by [WR Brandon] Aiyuk, so he went to his checkdown, which was the right decision, but he was getting hit as he threw right on his right arm, and the ball bounced up in the air and got a pick.”
Purdy left the game with a stinger. Despite being cleared to return, Shanahan had already opted to stick with backup Sam Darnold, given the game’s seemingly decided outcome.
Looking ahead, Purdy will have an opportunity to redeem himself on Sunday against the Washington Commanders before returning to Levi’s Stadium for the 49ers’ regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
“We have some opportunities coming up, and we still got two games left in the regular season before we get in the playoffs,” Purdy said after Monday night’s game. “And so for me, I’m trying to look at the big picture of what we’re trying to do, what our team goals are. But at the same time, I have to look myself in the mirror and ask myself why or how that happened and why I made those decisions.
“Our team came ready to play, and for me to make some decisions like that, it pains me, and it’s not fair to these guys. So I have to realize that, and understand that, and I have to get better for my team.”
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